Resolve For A Counterattack.

The rebel army led by Zegart and Tsukuyomi marched from Jiregga to the Royal Capital.

“Now, my elites. Go wild to your hearts’ content!”

Zegart issued orders to the surviving beastkin demons under his command.

“Obey my command, weapons of darkness!”

Tsukuyomi commanded his army of magical weapons, along with the Astaroth Gear excavated from beneath the Demon King’s Castle.

The mixed army of beastkin and machines surged into the Royal Capital all at once.

The Demon King and the other Demon Generals had already been captured or repelled for the most part.

All that remained was a disorganized rabble.

There was no way they could stop Zegart’s formidable force and Tsukuyomi’s supporting army.

Unilateral destruction and violence swept through the city.

Screams and cries of terror echoed everywhere.

Naturally, Zegart had no intention of destroying the Royal Capital entirely.

Once he officially became the Demon King, he would be the one ruling it.

He had to limit the damage to a mere show of force.

“Even so, I have no intention of holding back.”

So that when Zegart ascended the throne, the people would fear him.

So that the people would praise him.

He needed to demonstrate absolute power—

“Now, fear me! And worship me! I am the new Demon King, Zegart!”

The golden lion’s declaration resounded proudly.

“—It’s no use, my magic power won’t surge.”

I let out a sigh.

Given time, it might recover, but I couldn’t afford to wait that long.

Zegart and his forces would come pursuing us, and above all, I couldn’t leave the Royal Capital like that.

I looked in the direction of the Royal Capital.

Countless flames and columns of black smoke were rising into the sky.

Proof that Zegart’s army was running rampant.

Just how much destruction was taking place?

How many citizens were being harmed?

Just imagining it tore at my heart with painful anguish.

He wouldn’t completely obliterate the Royal Capital, but he definitely intended to show off a certain degree of power.

Even if a few citizens of the Demon Realm were sacrificed in the process—he likely wouldn’t care in the slightest.

Zegart was that kind of man.

“I have to stop him…!”

Unable to endure it any longer, I stood up.

“But Your Majesty, you can’t use your usual power, right? In that case, your chances of winning are, well…”

Though looking hesitant to say it, Lirim stood in front of me.

“As the Guard Captain, I don’t want to let Your Majesty go into a battle with no chance of winning!”

She glared straight at me.

“Lirim…”

“No, I won’t let you go! That’s why I’m going to stop you. That’s my duty!”

Her face wore a strict expression rarely seen on her.

A face that genuinely cared about me.

“I feel the same, Your Majesty,” Stella stepped forward.

“Of course, I am worried about the Royal Capital. Zegart and Tsukuyomi’s rebellion is an unforgivable act. Even so—now is the time to endure.”

Endure, and wait for a chance to counterattack… huh?

I get it.

I understand it in my head.

Yet, thinking about the Royal Capital being trampled by Zegart’s army made me feel utterly restless.

“I have one tactic in mind.”

I turned my gaze to Stella, Lyrim—and Regal as well.

“However, I’ll need your cooperation. Stella, Lyrim, Regal.”

I added with a bitter thought:

“It will involve a considerable amount of danger.”

But victory lay only beyond overcoming that danger.

By combining the power of the three of them, my own power, and the special traits of the Purgatory Demon King’s Sword (Radis)—there was a one-in-a-ten-thousand chance of victory.

“If it is Your Majesty’s command, I shall offer up my body and life.”

“I’ll do my best too!”

Stella spoke respectfully, and Lyrim shouted with vigor.

“…Me as well?”

Regal stared at me.

In his glowing crimson eyes, a hint of confusion was visible.

“Do you mean to trust me, who betrayed you?”

“Why not think of it as atonement for your betrayal instead, Regal?”

I stared quietly at him.

“In this dire, desperate situation—if you contribute to my battle, I’ll consider reducing your sentence for rebellion.”

“You really are…”

Regal let out a small sigh.

Well, I was half-joking.

At least the tense atmosphere eased up a bit.

“I need your strength for this operation, Regal. Having lost most of my magic power, my attack power has dropped drastically. Stella isn’t a direct-combat type, and neither is Lirim’s squad. Without you, who excels in close-quarters combat, taking down Zegart won’t happen.”

I looked once again at the skeletal swordsman.

“Lend me your strength, Demon General Regal.”

“You… are…”

“It’s an order from your Demon King.”